Norfolk County MA Archives Biographies.....Fairbanks, Dr George Otis February 14, 1815 - March 11, 1884
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 12, 2006, 3:30 pm

Author: E O Jameson

GEORGE OTIS FAIRBANKS, son of Otis and Sylvia (Fuller) Fairbanks, was born 
Feb. 14, 1815, in Medway. He was the oldest of nine children. In early youth 
he had the advantages of education then open to farmers' sons. When seventeen 
years old he began teaching school, and for several years was thus engaged in 
Upton, Canton, Dedham, Lowell, and Newburyport, Mass. Subsequently he studied 
dentistry, and in December, 1845, began to practice in Fall River, Mass., 
where he was for many years the leading member of his profession. Dr. 
Fairbanks took a deep interest in public affairs. In 1848 he was chosen a 
member of the general school committee, to which position he was reelected. In 
1852 and 1853 he was a member of the board of selectmen of the town. In 1861 
he was elected to the common council, and upon its organization was chosen 
president of that body. In 1866 he was elected a member of the school 
committee for a term of three years, and on the organization of the committee 
was chosen chairman. In 1867 he was elected mayor, and was reelected the 
following year. Dr. Fairbanks, during his administration, inaugurated and 
advanced to completion a large amount of important municipal work. As chief 
executive officer it was his desire to have the city take high rank in 
whatever would bring prosperity and happiness to the mass of the people. He 
was chosen representative in 1869 and was reelected to that office in 
1870, '71, '72, and '73, and again in 1875. During his second term in the 
legislature he was appointed on the committee on railroads, and continued on 
that committee during the remainder of his service in the house. After his 
return from the legislature, Dr. Fairbanks was appointed clerk of the 
overseers of the poor, which position he held for several years. He was re-
appointed until failing health forced him to relinquish work. After a few 
weeks of confinement he died March 11, 1884. Dr. Fairbanks was married twice. 
His first wife died Feb. 2, 1849, and his second died April 27, 1860. Three 
sons and one daughter survive him.
 
   Dr. Fairbanks came of good old Puritan stock, his ancestors being among the 
early settlers of Massachusetts. He was reared on a farm in a country town, 
and early imbibed those principles of domestic virtue and rectitude, together 
with the habits of industry which are so characteristic of the people who 
dwell remote from the cities. He was a great reader, an apt student, and was 
blessed with a retentive memory. He had great powers of observation with an 
intuitive mind, and could quickly grasp an idea or theory advanced by others. 
Hence, though his early advantages for securing an education in the scholastic 
sense were limited, yet his native intellect combined with perseverance and 
close application to studies brought to him at manhood a well-stored mind", 
and so thoroughly trained as to fit him for the work of teaching a public 
school, a profession in which he early engaged, and was very successful. He 
was an acute thinker, a good reasoner, and was fond of argument. In his 
religious convictions he was clear and decided. Much of this was no doubt due 
to his early parental training, and the effects of the preaching of the Rev. 
Dr. Ide, of Medway, whose sermons were full of strong doctrinal truths, 
argumentative, and very closely reasoned. It was natural, therefore, that he 
should acquire a remarkable love for logical and able preaching. Soon after he 
came to Fall River in 1S45 during an extensive work of grace in the Central 
Congregational Church under the pastorship of the late Rev. Dr. Thurston, he 
made a public profession of religion and united with that church, retaining 
his membership with them until death. He was very constant in attendance upon 
the ministrations of the Gospel, whenever his health permitted. He was a man 
of exceedingly generous nature, kind-hearted, and took great pleasure in 
administering to the necessities of the destitute. The poor were lavish in 
their praise of his kindness, and always remembered him with gratitude.


Additional Comments:
THE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND The Genealogical Records 
OF MANY EARLY AND OTHER FAMILIES 
IN MEDWAY, MASS. 1713-1886.

Illustrated
WITH NUMEROUS STEEL AND WOOD ENGRAVINGS.

BY
E. O. JAMESON,

THE AUTHOR OK "THE COGSWELLS IN AMERICA," "THE HISTORY OF MEDWAY, MASS.." ETC.

MILLIS, MASS. 1886.

 Copyright, 1886.

E. O. JAMESON, MILLIS, MASS.

All Rights Reserved.

 J. A. & R. A. REID, PRINTERS, PROVIDENCE, R. I.

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